GadgetMETER - Meet The Coolest Trends » Travel

Stay warm and charged, even in the mountains

Sarah — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:13:01 +0000

There is now a new way to charge your mobile devices on the go and keep you warm during the cold seasons. A company called Ardica has developed a civilian version of it’s versatile military battery pack. It’s called Ardica’s Moshi Power System.

Seven 2.75-inch lithium-ion batteries are linked inside a foam sleeve that can slip into the back of your jacket (the one pictured here is from Mountain Hardware but this power pack will work on any jacket wired for heat). The battery pack holds enough power to drive heat-creating yarn and send current to a USB cord in a jacket pocket. And it’s light enough and flexible enough that you probably won’t even notice you are wearing it.
You can get about 9 hours of heat or about 11 iPhone charges before you have to plug the battery pack back in.

The Ardica Moshi Power System is $145 (adapters are an additional $50).

Via Popular Science Gadgets

Self heating boots

Sarah — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:55 +0000

Living in Texas I probably would never have a use for these, but anyone that lives north of us and has weather that actually provides snow and below freezing weather for longer than five minutes a year will probably appreciate these a whole lot. Just this past January I was reminded just how much suck can be brought to an otherwise awesome snowboarding adventure because your socks are wet and starting to freeze your toes.

As the blogger at Wired already noted, the name for these battery powered self heating boots is just awful. The Bugathermo, ugh! The women’s version, imo, is even worse. The Snow Hottie. But regardless, they look pretty awesome. I personally would prefer the men’s to the women’s just based on style alone (you’d be amazed how often that happens… sometimes I wonder just what exactly designers think women really like).

Made by Columbia Sportswear, the boots are powered by rechargeable lithium polymer batteries that will give you four to eight hours of heat depending on which level you pick. They have insulated soles, are waterproof and breathable so your feet will be both warm AND dry down to -25°F. And for around $250 I’d say it’s an excellent investment.

Via Wired’s Gadget Lab

AT&T Introduces A-List for Free Unlimited Calling

Quang Ly — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:04:08 +0000

AT&T Introduces A-List for Free Unlimited Calling

AT&T’s recently announced A-List plans on September 20, 2009. This calling feature lets customers talk with up to five people on any network for free, including landlines. The service is very similar to T-Mobile myFaves, which provides free and unlimited calling to customers’ five favorite people. The A-List feature is available on individual Nation plans that cost $59.99 or more. FamilyTalk customers with plans costing $89.99 or more can choose up to 10 people to talk with free of charge.

Want even more free calls beyond what AT&T offers? Add your Google Voice number to your A-list so now you can talk to anyone in North America without using your minutes. Google Voice acts like a conference call with the number you want to talk to (incoming or outgoing). The call with Google Voice is free which connects you to the number you want to talk to. When someone outside your network calls your Google Voice number, your Google Voice then redirects that call to you. So now the conversation is between your AT&T number and Google Voice. If you want to make a call outside your network, call your own Google number and sign into the Google voicemail system, you’ll have the option to place a call. Just press 2 and enter the number. You can also visit Google Voice mobile on your phone.

So what are you waiting for? Log into www.att.com/alist now and add your out of network numbers for free unlimited calls.

Digidudes – Keychain Tripods

ethan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:47:07 +0000

Novelty gadget accessories will continue to thrive as products for as long as companies continue to manufacture gadgets. One of the newest such novelties is actually finding itself to be quite useful.

Meet the Digidudes. Each Digidude is a tripod. The legs pull out of the body area to create the base, and the head of the character screws right off providing a convenient base for most compact digital cameras, Flip cameras, and other related gadgetry. (I wouldn’t trust the little thing to hold your DSLR with your super-zooming-large lens though…just a word to the wise out there).

These little tripods could end up coming in handy in travel situations where carrying a full-sized tripod is inconvenient or even impossible. Digidudes are not available for sale on the mass market yet, but quirky.com is having a special pre-sale of them for the low price of just $19.99.

Spy Camera Finder

Quang Ly — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:02:39 +0000

Remember how high-tech hidden cameras were in action movies? These rogue tools are now accessible to almost everyone. Miniature cellphones come with video recording capabilities like the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3G can also record video after it has been jailbroken with the Cycorder or Video Recorder app from the Cydia store. These devices are small enough to be hidden almost everywhere. ESPN Reporter Erin Andrews was recently a victim of a spy camera.

KJB Security SF-103 Spy Finder Personal [Misc.]

The Spy Camera Finder will help you find hidden spy cameras in your hotel, locker room, or next vacation. Just look through the view finder and scan your room to detect the location of hidden cameras (even if they are off). It works by using “optical” augmentation” to locate video cameras.

For $87, it is reasonable and affordable way to protect your privacy. It is also small and lightweight enough to be portable.

Via Gadget Grid

Lonely Planet iPhone guides

Sarah — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:30:14 +0000

Anyone that has done even a little overseas traveling knows that the Lonely Planet guides are considered the best. Easy to use, nice design, full of great advice and excellent recommendations. The one drawback is they can get pretty heavy, especially if you are carrying everything on your back. But apparently Lonely Planet has figured out a way to keep all their great features and get rid of their one bad one. Lonely Planet for your iPhone!

In addition to it’s already excellent content, the iPhone (also iTouch) version includes interactive, personalised and fully searchable mobile access. You can mark your favorite locations for easy access or locate them by keywords (no address search function as of yet though). It also includes GPS so you can see your current location and any interesting spots near you. And it is completely stand alone so you don’t need a signal in order for the guide to work. Also (and this may be the best part), you don’t have to look like a tourist scouring your Lonely Planet book while on the street corner or in a coffee shop. For all anybody knows you are just checking your email.
There are a few limitations with the current version though. For instance you can’t access the restaurant and bar listings through the actual sections of the book. You have to use the map. Though hopefully that will change in the near future.
Also, you can’t leave your iPhone guide behind when you leave the country for someone else to use. But for all the paper and transportation energy that is not being wasted I think I can overlook this one.

The iPhone guide is $15.99 on the iTunes app store. There are currently 20 titles with more on the way, and the San Fransisco guide is free during the WWDC! That was nice of them:-)

via Wired Gadgetlab
See the Lonely Planet Product Page
or purchase on the iTunes app store

Klingon Language iPhone app

Sarah — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:21:06 +0000

Part two of my Star Trek inspired gadgets: The Klingon Language iPhone app.
Yeah, seriously!

I have not personally gone so far in my Star Trek geekiness as too try to learn the Klingon language. But I know a few people that have (they’re not fluent but they have a few key phrases memorized, which makes them hard-core Trekkers in my book).

This is the iPhone version of the Simon and Schuster paperback of the same name.
The app contains all the functionality of Ultralingua dictionaries in addition to the vocabulary and grammar developed by Marc Okrand, the linguist responsible for creating the Klingon language for Star Trek. It also has a suitably “Star Trekkie” GUI. So combine that with the fact that the iPhone already looks like a state of the art Tri-corder, you should feel like you really are a student at Star Fleet Academy (even if you are just sitting in your cubical at work on your break time).

And don’t worry about the pronunciation. It includes a listen-and-repeat function so you don’t cause a difficult situation when you accidentally say “Your mother has a smooth forehead” when you meant to say “Today is a good day to die!”.

FEATURES:
-Interactive, two-way bi-lingual text from English to Klingon and back
-History of searched dictionary terms
-Verb conjugation
-Number translation (critical for targeting)
-Listen-and-repeat audio format by author Marc Okrand teaches you basic grammar and pronunciation
-Text timed with the Conversational Kiingon audio for an added learning aid
-Searchable audio – find the exact portion of the lesson you want via standard playback tools, a handy scrollbar or complete text search
-Audio phrase pronunciation with volume control

In case you are worried about the dictionary’s credibility, rest assured it has been tested and approved by the Klingon Language Institute
For a sample check their site for some commonly used phrases and pronunciation guide!

You can get the app on the iTunes app store for only $11.99.

via iPhone Application List

Star Trek inspired communication device?

Sarah — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:06:00 +0000

After seeing the latest Star Trek film (and loving it, I might add) I thought I’d post about a few Star Trek inspired items. First is the iTRAVL handheld language translator. It’s like your own personal pocket-sized Uhura (though admittedly not quite as sexy as Zoe Saldana (not by a long shot).

Learning languages is difficult. And it’s not just the memorization or recall that makes it so. Language is so entangled within culture that often it is difficult to distinguish the two. This was my experience in Japan and SE Asia. It would have been nice to have had a portable translation device for the various languages I encountered making it easier to say what I really wanted to say instead of stumbling through the few phrases I manages to memorize without really understanding their meaning. Attempting to understand another’s language and speak it in turn, even if it is just a few phrases here and there, can help you go far in building relationships or just make it easier for you to get around.
The iTRAVL includes voice recognition for instant translation of words and phrases as well as a personal language tutor.
With over 30 languages to choose from you can customize an SD card with the language combination of your choice.
And that is just the start of all the bells and whistles this item’s designers thought to include to make the traveler’s life just a little bit easier.

Specifications:
• Extensive bilingual translating dictionary with voice synthesis
• Audio Travel PhraseBook recognizes and speaks 14,000 travel-related phrases
• iHELP pronounces Emergency or frequently used phrases instantly
• CIA World Factbook for 180 countries around the world: Maps, Flags, Country Profiles, People, Geography, History,
Economy, Essential Statistics, International Organizations and Groups and more
• Consistent Full-text Machine Translation
• 70,000 WordNet English explanatory dictionary
• Windows CE powered for advanced functionality and responsiveness
• Hi-resolution touch-screen and hands-free speech navigation functionality
• Mp3 player, games, calculator, metric converter, and word time clock utilities
Check out the website here: iTRAVL Translation device
With the base model starting at $319.95 you’ll be spending about the same amount trying to learn as much of the language as you can in advance of your trip using The Rosetta Stone software, and you can’t take that with you in your backpack everywhere you go! So I’d say the price is just about right. However, each language you want will add another $59.95 to your total so watch out!

Disposable Swine Flu Face Mask (Box of 50)

Quang Ly — Sun, 03 May 2009 11:04:32 +0000

The swine flu or medically known as H1N1 Flu. Preventing swine flu is much like any other flu according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control).

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

First and most important: wash your hands.
Try to stay in good general health.
Get plenty of sleep
Exercise and be active
Manage your stress
Drink plenty of fluids
Eat nutritious food.
Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

You can read more on prevention of the swine flu and treatment at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm

You can also wear a face mask to prevent the swine flu.

Swine Flu Face Mask (Box of 50)

Product Description

EXTRA-SOFT EAR LOOPS ELIMINATE PRESSURE TO THE EARS.
SENSITIVE, INNER LAYER MADE OF SOFT FACIAL TISSUE, NO DYE, NO CHEMICAL
GENTLE TO THE SKIN. HIGH FILTRATION, BFE 99.5, PFE 99.7% AT 0.1 MICRON.
FLUID RESISTANT
LATEX FREE
FIBER-GLASS FREE
ODORLESS.

Disposable Swine-Flu Face Mask, – (Box of 50)

The mask comes in a box of 50 and only $16.99 which is well worth the price. It helps you from catching the swine flu and prevents it from spreading around.

Garmin Nüvi 760 Portable GPS

Quang Ly — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:23:27 +0000

As any of my family or friends would tell you, I am the worst and driving directions. My brother got me a Garmin Nuvi 250 for my birthday last year and it saved me quite a lot of headaches (and gas from getting lost).

Garmin now has the Nüvi 760 Portable GPS Automobile Navigator.

Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-Inch

It is quite an upgrade from my existing one. First, I like the form much better. Before the Garmin, I bought a Tom Tom GPS which gave me wrong directions half the time! I tested it driving in Center City Philadelphia and it told me to go straight directly through City Hall! Plus, the body of the Tom Tom wasn’t very friendly when it comes to portability.

Garmin

Garmin’s GPS tend to be flat and thin so they can fit in your pocket for walking around. There was a quirky bug in my old Garmin 250 which was the way you choose a target destination. If you change the city, you have to change the Country you are in first. It was odd.

What’s New
The 700-series has spoken directions in real street names, MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, directly through your vehicle’s stereo system.

Garmin

The nüvi 760 and 770 can also utililze Bluetooh features for hands free calling.The 770 model adds maps for Europe.

The price of these GPS has also gone down tremendously. I remember when they first came out, it was a wallet breaking $1000. It is now only $209.99. Ah, don’t you love price depcreciation? It will save you in the long run too from lost time and gas.

Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Automobile Navigator

Track swine flu outbreak using Google Maps

Jay — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:44:58 +0000

We’za gonna DIE! No, I’m not channeling Jar-Jar Binks – I refer to the horrors of swine flu, delivered to us courtesy of Mexico and legions of drunk college spring breakers who just couldn’t stay the frak out of a country despite US State Department warnings about drug gang turf wars. Well now the rest of us are going to pay for their partying. To track the status of the pandemic-wanna-be, Google user Niman has mashed Google Maps with the CDC’s confirmed case identifier to show us where the spots of doom are showing up. Maybe those Japanese and their surgical masks aren’t so crazy looking now after all, eh?

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map

How safe is YOUR location?

via CenterNetworks

HUMMER Skates For Kids

Quang Ly — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:50:33 +0000

Meet the Skorpion Multi Terrain Skates. These skates introduce a new level of fun for the summer for your kids. You can wear them with your shoes and they offer steering and spring suspension. These can be used in the parks, streets, uneven surface, nature trails, boardwalks, grass, and cobblestones.

Skorpian Multi-Terrain Skates

Skorpion Multi Terrain Skates 2009

Via Gadget Grid

TrendyKid Trunki Makes Luggage Fun For Kids

Quang Ly — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:43:03 +0000

Let’s face it. Not many of us like packing for trips. So how do we expect kids to do so? Meet the Trunki by TrendyKid. It makes packing fun.

TrendyKid Trunki

The Trunki is a suitcase that is fun for children. The luggage resembles a cute animal. There are other varieties. It is perfect for both boys and girls. It has four wheels attached to it and they can even sit on the suitcase and ride it. No more boredom at the airport. It is also light enough for an adult to just carry on his shoulder.

TrendyKid Trunki

Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker

Quang Ly — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:55:15 +0000

Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker

One of the things I love about the warm season is spending time outdoors like hiking. With the Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker you can achieve cooking temperatures for stew or baked goods within just an hour in the full sun. The oven can reach temperatures up to 350-400 degrees and comes with a 5.3 quart enameled steel pot utilizing the solar power of the Sun.

What’s also great is that when you purchase a Hot Pot, you also help subsidize the distribution of this device in developing countries to reduce deforestation and respiratory disease caused by traditional cooking methods.

Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker with 5.3 quart Enameled Steel Pot

Product Features

Can reach temperatures up to 350-400 degrees
Comes with a 5.3 quart enameled steel pot
The aluminum reflector sides fold down for easy storage
Low-cost, high-performance solar oven
15½” x 15½” x 10½”; ship weight is 19 lbs.

Via Gadget Grid

Child Locator by BrickHouse from Duracell Commercial

Quang Ly — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:42:53 +0000

BrickHouse Child Locator

I was told that as a 3 year old child, I once wandered off at the flea market and my mom lost me. It was only when my uncle who happened to be there found me and brought me home. Looking back, I wonder how my life would have changed if I had not been found and instead picked up by a stranger.

Meet the BrickHouse Child Locator which will prevent problems like this by alerting you when your chld is too far away. You attach a small tag to your child’s clothing and it will alert the homing device that will lead you to your child in a matter of seconds if your child is leaves the designated zone.

The Locate Mode beeps faster the closer you are to your child and also provides an on-screen display. Your child can also press the Panic Button to alert you of an emergency.

Specifications

Locate Your Wandering Child Anywhere
Very Easy to Use, Portable Indoor/Outdoor Design Too Far
Includes 4 Locator Tags (1 being a Panic Tag)
Get Alerts When Your Children Wander

Child Locator by Brickhouse Security with Distance Alert (As Featured in the Duracell Ad) Child Locator Device

Via GadgetGrid

Optical Zoom Lens for iPhone

Quang Ly — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:29:48 +0000

Optical Zoom Telescope iPhone 3G

If you cannot wait for the next iPhone coming Summer 2009 with the 3MP Optical Zoom Lens, you might want to pick up this Telescop for iPhone 3G instead.

It features 6x Optical Zoom lens attached to your iPhone and also supports wide angle for a cinematic look. It is also overall brighter and has better color than the default iPhone lens.

The price isn’t too bad either. Currently it is $25 at Hand Held Items.

Product Features:

Zoom in and out with 6x optical lens
Special made case to fit the telescope
Wide angle, larger luminous flux, good color reduction
Better quality of picture
Includes iPhone telescope case, lanyard and the telescope

Via Gadget Grid

Lowepro SlingShot 100 Camera Backpack

Quang Ly — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:38:54 +0000

[svgallery name="lowepro"]
One of the things that interrupts my inspiration at the moment is having to take off my backback and take out my camera to take a shot. During this time, I may miss the shot. With the Lowepro SlingShot 100 Camera Backpack, I don’t have to worry about that. It is designed in a way so that you do not have to take off the bag. You basically swing or rotate it around and have quick access to your camera and accessories. It is also weather proof so will have more peace of mind.

The SlingShot 100 holds an SLR camera with mid-range zoom lens attached. It also allows room for 1-2 extra lenses, cables and accessories, and has a full access lid to make loading it a snap.

Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack (Black)

Mio’s new GPS phone – sexy!

Jay — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 02:29:15 +0000

Mio’s just announced their upcoming product line. Included in their releases is this sexy beast – the Mio Explora K70. The picture does not do it justice – check out their web site for more pictures. It features quad band technology for you world travelers, a 3.5″ screen, WiFi, 3G, 3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and (obviously) a GPS. I don’t know how they got it so skinny cause it seems they crammed everything but the kitchen sink in. It will auto-rotate as well, so you can see your trip in portrait or widescreen modes, and it plays videos and music so you can be entertained when you get to wherever it is you’re going.

Biggest downer? Windows Mobile 6.1. Dang.

via

ParaJet SkyCar – Do you ever want to fly one of these?

Quang Ly — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:57:20 +0000

This is followup to our previous post on the ParaJet SkyCar. We now have a video. This is quite amazing and I’m really excited and passionate about this. The footage is one of the first flights of the Parajet Skycar. It also featues interview with the pilot Neil Laughton and creater Giles Cardozo.

**Footage Courtesy of Mentorn Media and Height and Hazard for Channel 4′s Daredevil series.**

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7qg3lNsxmQ

Comment below if you want to give the SkyCar a try.

PocketFinder: Never Lose Your Stuff Again

Nichole — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:49:08 +0000

With Location-Based Technologies’ PocketFinder, you’ll never have to worry about lost pets or luggage again. The GPS device is about the size of a cookie, and is available in several versions: there’s PocketFinder Luggage, which can be slipped into a suitcase before you let it out of your sight. Using the company’s website or automated phone service, you can look up your suitcase’s location in over 100 countries. PetFinder can be hooked to a pet’s collar, offering peace of mind for those who are squeamish about injecting their furry friend with a microchip. The original PocketFinder is a good bet for outdoor enthusiasts or caretakers of the mentally challenged.

PocketFinder is available for $129.99 plus a monthly service fee for the locator service. It runs for seven days on a single charge, alerting you via text message when it’s time to recharge.

USBCell Rechargeable Battery

Quang Ly — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:43:02 +0000

This USB recharble battery falls into one of those “Why Didn’t I Think of That Category”. This is a rechargeable battery without need of a recharger. Instead, you simply plug it into your USB port and in a few hours, you have renewed power. Don’t you just love simple ideas like this?

USBCell Rechargeable Battery

You can plug the USB Rechargble Battery into any standard USB interface on your computer, laptop, or USB hub.

Product Features

Easy Charge from any USB Port – 90% recharged in 5 hours
NiMH 1.2v 1300mah AA battery
Easy recharge on the go, at home or in the office
Can be recharged hundreds of times – saving you money and helping reduce waste
Charges in : 5 hours

USBCELL AA Rechargable Battery – 2 Cell Pack – MXAA02

Via ThinkGeek

WOMANS NEW WINTER SKI PLAID PINK FUR TROOPER TRAPPER HUNTER HAT

Quang Ly — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:06:34 +0000

WOMANS NEW WINTER SKI PLAID PINK FUR TROOPER TRAPPER HUNTER HAT

What a woman wants, a woman gets. Unless it is freezing outside and she’s afraid of the weather. Well, now you get let her get what she wants by having her wear the New Winter Ski Plaid Pink Fur Trooper Trapper Hunter Hat. Whew! That was a long name! This pink hat fits all sizes. Hurry, she’s waiting to get out for Valentine’s Day!

Product Description
SOFT FAUX FUR WEAR IT UP OR DOWN, EAR FLAPS, ADJUSTABLE TIE STRAP, FELT LINING / UNISEX

WOMANS NEW WINTER SKI PLAID PINK FUR TROOPER TRAPPER HUNTER HAT

Listen to Music Just Like Barbie

ethan — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:00:20 +0000

Saturday morning commercials are what kids live for. They tell kids which cereals to nag their parents for, what new PopTart flavors to try, and what great new toys are coming out. During my time in childhood, I can remember an endless stream of commercials promoting Barbie accessories. It seems that the people over at Mattel have done it again.

Music, Barbie Style!

Now young girls (presumably) can listen to music just like Barbie with the pink mp3 player made to look like a make-up compact. While listening to the music, Barbie and the listener can check their hair, makeup, and teeth just to make sure they are perfect.

While the new Barbie mp3 is pretty cool, I think I will stick with my iPod for just a little longer…

Portable Nail Dryer

Quang Ly — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:49:34 +0000

Portable Nail Dryer

She’s going to love this for her Valentine’s Day Gift. It’s portable and very convenient to dry your hands and feet. Too bad it doesn’t do dishes as well. It can be automatically turned on and off.

* Portable nail dryer for your hands and feet
* Suitable for drying nail polish, nail art decorations, nail paints
* The dryer will switch on automatically when the rest stand is pressed
* Easy and convenient to use with professional results
* BONUS ITEMS INCLUDED – LED Flashlight Keychain and Microfiber Optical Cloth (1 set per order)

Professional Portable Hand and Foot Nail Dryer

The Sony Webbie HD Video Camera

Quang Ly — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:36:26 +0000

Meet the new Sony Webbie HD video camera. It lets you record high-definition MP4 video as well as take 5 Mega-Pixel still photos. They included software to help capture your moments onto the web such as YouTube. The Webbie HD camera also features 5x Optical and 20x Digital zoom that lets you focus in on the action, as well as dual capture capability that lets you simultaneously film video and take still pictures without the need to switch modes. It has a 2.5″ LCD screen that turns on automatically as soon as you open it.

Highlights:

5-megapixel still photos
HD MP4 1440 x 1080 video resolution
2.5-inch swivel screen; only weighs 7 ounces
5x optical, 20x digital zoom
Memory Stick PRO Duo media recording

Sony Webbie HD Camera

Via GadgetGrid

Fight The Rain With Samurai Sword Handle Umbrella

Quang Ly — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:46:58 +0000

Samurai Sword Handle Umbrella Combo

Has the rain ever hurt you? It was wet and you slipped and fell. Well, fight back with the Samurai Sword Handle Umbrella!

It is a little known fact that Samurai also carried umbrellas often to also disguise their swords In fact, there was one skilled umbrella maker who all the Samurai relied on for their Sword Handle Umbrellas.

The rain will fear you. So will everyone else when you glide it out of its nylon sheath. Hold it by its space-age plastic handle. Feel the balance. This is the umbrella you never knew you always wanted. For, apart from looking unbelievably awesome, the Samurai Sword Handle Umbrella is a dang fine umbrella. It will keep you dry and the envy of your friends. Precipitation doesn’t stand a chance.

Samurai Sword Handle Umbrella Inuse

Samurai Sword Handle Umbrella

* A really sturdy umbrella with the handle of a samurai sword.
* Push button opening.
* Nylon “scabbard” included – with adjustable shoulder strap.
* Dimensions: 38.75″ long; 41″ opened diameter

Take a nap at work the stylish way with The Nappak

Quang Ly — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:48:00 +0000

Nappak Portable Sleeping Cube

The Nappak lets the ultra hard working office junkie nap or sleep at work the Jetson’s way. It is portable and designed by these guys http://www.nappak.de/ Apparently, the guys at Google uses this. And we want to thank Nappak for supporting them, if it not were them, our lives wouldn’t be easier. So imagine what it could do for you and your office? However, I would ask your boss first before coming in with this. Uh, unless you are the boss.

ParaJet SkyCar – Finally, A Real, Practical, and Legal Flying Car

Quang Ly — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:39:20 +0000

[svgallery name="skycar"]

The Parajet SkyCar is biofuel-powered land/air hybrid vehicle that serves as a car on the ground and an aircraft in the sky. It runs on biofuel and features an aluminum frame. It will be soon considered a green equivalent of a Toyota Corolla – but can fly!

SkyCar is the brainchild of Neil Laughton, an ex-Royal Marine Officer and SAS soldier and adventurer. He learned to fly just four years ago, which makes his leadership of the SkyCar project all the more amazing. Laughton has a sled to the North Pole, jet skiing around England and motorcycling into the Sahara giving Richard Branson (Virgin Founder) a run for his money.

The SkyCar is essentially the result of an unholy union between a dune buggy and a paraglider. Beneath its parachute is a 1,000-cc four banger pulled from a Yamaha R1 motorcycle that produces 140 horsepower and somehow runs on biofuel. It can drive the rear wheels or the huge propeller. The production models will be made of aluminum to increase range and performance.

Parajet says recent advancements in flexible-wing technology and parafoil design have been key to developing the SkyCar because they allow for more precise handling and increased safety compared to conventional rigid wings. The company claims the “parawing” is so compact it can be folded in just minutes.

In fly mode, the the Skycar will take off at 35 mph from any airstrip longer than 650 feet. It will hit a top speed of 68 mph and a cruising altitude of 2,000 to 3,000 feet and a max altitude of 15,000 feet — though we don’t know who’s be brave enough to venture so high, given that hypoxia and altitude sickness become an issue at 10,000 feet if you aren’t in a pressurized cabin. Range is 185 miles. Impressive isn’t it?

Flip the car to drive mode, which takes three minutes, and you’re looking at a rear-wheel-drive vehicle the company says will do zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds and top out at 100 mph. If a cop every tries to pull you over, simply launch into Flying Car mode and give him a wave and a wink of an eye. Oh, and drop him some donuts.

The SkyCar will be on its first voyage soon and wil take off from London, travel south through France and Spain, and then across parts of Western Africa before landing in Tombouctou, a city in Mali that borders the Southern Sahara.

So far, previous attempts at flying cars haven’t gotten all that far, but there are some legit companies backing Laughton’s project. They include London bank C. Hoare & Co; Future Capital Partners, a structured finance firm that specializes in green projects; and Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, the first man to cross Antarctica on foot.

Will the SkyCar be the first to become commercially viable? We’ll know more in a few months.

Question: Where is the first place you will go with the SkyCar? Comment below.

Photos by Parajet.

Wake up with the Smash Alarm Clock

Quang Ly — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:25:27 +0000

Smash Alarm Clock

Yeah, go ahead and Smash this Alarm Clock. Just when you are dreaming about your favorite Victoria Swimsuit Model, your alarm clock wakes you up. This one still does but can take the beating like none other.

To stop or snooze it, just punch the top of the alarm. It’s still a concept but when it finally comes out, waking up can be fun.

Peddle YoGen MaxT Gives Laptop Juice

Quang Ly — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:02:57 +0000

YoGen MaxT

Ever want to just kick your laptop because it ran out of juice? Well, now you can! In a positive and more environmentally friendly way. It uses mechanical (kinetic) energy to power your laptop. YoGen MaxT comes with a paddle that charges AA batteries, and they in turn power the notebook so it doesn’t shut down as soon as the paddle stops.

The YoGen MaxT collapses into a handy package and will not be abusive in a trip even in a short one. In a folded form its dimensions are 170 x 184 x 49 mm. The width and height increase little bit when YoGen MaxT is set to work. The AA batteries are optional – up 12 of them and in standard it has a number of adapters for the plug and a battery indicator.

YoGen MaxT appears to be a quality product as long as its got the solar chargers. But also it might look hilarious to peddle the box on public. Its sorta like The Jetsons meets The Flintstones again.

Gimme Eye-Fi The New Wireless Memory Card

Quang Ly — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:38:08 +0000

eye-fi wireless SD Card

This is quite revolutionary. It is a memory card with built in wireless capabilities so you can save photos, music, videos, and files without need for a cardreader or USB.

They all come with everything needed to make it simple to set up and connect to your home Wi-Fi network.

Just insert the card into your digital camera and take some pictures. The pictures are uploaded automatically as soon as you return to your wireless network. Only need to turn the camera on! Easy!

eye-fi wireless SD Card